With the ruling AIADMK going hammer and tongs against the DMK in its campaign, the response of the opposition thus far remains muted. Nearly a week into the campaign, the DMK patriarch’s daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi - the party’s women’s face - is conspicuous by her absence. So is actor-turned politico Khushboo Sundar.
More than a fortnight is still left for DMK president M Karunanidhi to launch his election campaign and in his sunset years he has confined himself to the Western and Northern regions, save for a rally in Madurai. The current situation is something the party is not familiar with. In the past, Kanimozhi had not only campaigned extensively but brought in folk artistes into the campaign. Now, she is said to be sulking over being sidelined in ticket distribution. For, only two of her supporters could manage to get the ticket - A Raja (Nilgiris) and T K S Elangovan (South Chennai).
“The delay in bringing Kanimozhi into the campaign is not in the interest of the party. She is suave and articulate. Moreover, she has the ability to give an ideological orientation in carrying the fight to the opposition camp,” said a party leader.
Another celebrity sulking in the DMK is Kushbu. Despite her proximity with the party leadership, she is yet to be roped in for election duty.